PM urges opposition to reconsider withdrawal from JSC on procurement

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said Wednesday Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley should reconsider his decision to withdraw Opposition support on the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on procurement.

Rowley told reporters on Monday that the Opposition would cease working with the JSC, saying in his opinion the Government is not serious about procurement legislation.

He also raised concerns over the award of a $900,772 contract by Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs to what he called a "fly by night" company that was formed in July last year.

Reporters asked the Prime Minister about the matter after she formally opened an Ecotourism centre in Valencia.

"I think they are being really fool hardy in that regard; the country needs proper procurement legislation, it needs the input of all involved, all parliamentarians," Persad-Bissessar said.

While she accused the Opposition of using tactics of distraction, she also said she would ask Rowley to reconsider "because that piece of legislation is most important. Should they fail to work with the Joint Select Committee they will be shirking their duties as parliamentarians."

The JSC comprises Government ministers Bhoendradatt Tewarie (chairman), Dr Tim Gopeesingh, Herbert Volney, Colin Partap, Prakash Ramadhar; Independent Senator James Armstrong. The opposition representatives were Rowley, Colm Imbert and Senator Faris Al Rawi.